I learned how to make a “Holiday Ham” from my Mother-In-Law who taught me that it is pretty easy, and all you have to do is add just enough other flavors to make the outside of the ham more interesting. This recipe captures all of your traditional flavors of mustard, clove, and all spice; plus the addition of honey and brown sugar to caramelize the exterior skin of the ham.
The added soda (I use Coca-Cola) to the roasting pan will preserve the moisture of the ham and keep it from drying out…plus adds even more flavor while basting.
Hardware
- Deep-well roasting pan (no rack)
- Probe Thermometer
- Baster
Software
- Whole Cloves
- 1/2 Cup Honey
- 1-2 Tbsp Ground Mustard
- 1 Tbsp All Spice
- 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
- Soda (2 Cans)
Instructions
Everything here is done to taste…sort of
Score the sides of the ham in a crossing pattering creating diamonds about 1-2” square.
Insert whole cloves in middle of squares all around (and on top)
In a small boiler, warm honey and brown sugar
OR – in a microwave safe bowl
Add ground mustard and all spice to fragrant
Mix thoroughly and add just enough coke to make a slurry
Drizzle this mix over ham, coating all sides
Pour remaining coke into the bottom of the roasting pan
Place in oven with a probe thermometer inserted, bake at 325 until internal temp reaches 120F…be careful not to dry out the ham.
Every 30-45 minutes, baste ham with drippings in the bottom of the pan
Allow to rest at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving